Hi everyone, my name is Dr. Olga, here at Always Beautiful Smile. We get a lot of questions about All-on-Fours. It's a very common internet Google search topic, and I'm here to answer some of the most popular questions.
What is All-on-Four?
All-on-Four is a dental procedure where four implants are placed to replace all of the teeth in an arch. So all the teeth are sitting on four implants. That's where the term All-on-Four comes in. However, the saying goes, "All on four, none on three," meaning if one of those implants fails, then the whole structure is now, you know, down the drain. So we never recommend doing four implants. We always recommend at least five or six. Therefore, the procedure really isn't All-on-X, depending on how many implants because you have to plan ahead. This is not something that's going to last you a year or two; we're talking about 10, 20, maybe even more years of wear. So you've got to plan for five or six implants. So let's call it an All-on-X
How does an All-on-X procedure differ from a traditional dental implant procedure?
The biology is the same, and the healing process is the same. Whether we're placing one implant or five or six, it doesn't matter. The body still has to heal. An implant goes in; on the upper jaw, it's going to heal for four to six months; on the lower jaw, it's going to heal for three to four months. The difference is whether we are placing one implant like we do traditionally when there's one missing tooth, or are we putting in all five together, or all six together, all at the same time. That's the biggest difference; it's more involved because there's more work. Especially if you already have teeth, sometimes the teeth come out, and the implants go in the same day. So all of that has to get planned, and it's a bigger, longer day. However, the healing is all the same. You need to heal; we need three to four months for the lower jaw and four to six months for the upper jaw before we can start getting the final prosthetics and the final finishing teeth.
Who is a good candidate for something like this?
When I'm talking about an All-on-X, I'm talking about five to six implants replacing all of the teeth. This means this is a procedure for somebody who needs to replace all of the teeth on an arch. So if you have all of your teeth but you're missing just one in the back, this is probably not for you. If you have a lot of broken-down teeth, if you have a lot of missing teeth, if you have a denture that you hate or a partial denture that you hate, this is probably a very good treatment option for you. However, there's a medical portion to this as well. Because we are talking about the integration of titanium implants into your jaw, the medication you take and your general overall health are going to play a big role here. Smoking is a big no-no. If you're a heavy smoker, a pack a day, implants don't heal nearly as well as they do on non-smokers. Diabetes, if it's well controlled, is not a problem. If it's not controlled, it's a big problem. Implants don't heal very well. Other medications, such as bisphosphonates that affect your bones, are a big problem as far as dental surgeries. All these things play a role in our consideration for treatment options. But if you're looking to replace all the teeth and you're looking for a fixed option, generally speaking, something like an All-on-X is an excellent option for most people.
What is the timeline for an All-on-X procedure?
From the time you come in for a consultation and you say, "I hate all my teeth, I want something fixed, I want something that I don't have to take out of my mouth, and I want to look good and function and smile and talk and chew my food," to the time that you're done and you actually take the final thing home is anywhere from 6 to 12 months. It depends on the complexity of the case. It depends on whether you have teeth, if we need to take the teeth out, if we can take the teeth out and put implants in at the same time. Sometimes we have to take the teeth out, graft that, let that heal, then put the implants in, and let those heal. So there are a lot of ifs that go into this, but generally speaking, 6 to 12 months is an average timeline for a procedure like this.
Is All-on-X a permanent solution for missing teeth?
Yes, absolutely. If you have no teeth, if your teeth are really broken down, if you're missing a lot, if you hate the look of your teeth, if you hate everything about your teeth, this is as close as we get to natural teeth because we're replacing all the teeth. They should look good; they should function well. This is an option that is permanently attached to you. This is not anything you have to take out every day and wash in the sink. This is as close as we get to natural teeth and should hopefully last you the rest of your life. So yes, it's the best permanent solution for an entire arch replacement.
What is the recovery process like for an All-on-X?
The first couple of days are going to be kind of rough. The very beginning is very simple. There's a lot of planning. We have to take images and 3D scans, and we plan where all our implants are going to go. We figure out if we can take the teeth out and put the implants in at the same time. So that stuff is very easy for you. When you come in for the surgical step, it's very important to us that you are numb and comfortable the entire time. This procedure is going to take a few hours. We have plenty of anesthetic; we need you numb and comfortable while you're here. This is not the place to power through the pain or be too shy to say something. You speak up and speak loudly if you are uncomfortable. You should be very comfortable while you're in the chair. However, you're going to go home, and the numbness is going to wear off. We're going to give you some good medication. You must take a course of antibiotics. We're going to give you a couple of different types of painkillers to make sure that you're comfortable, but the first couple of days are going to be kind of rough. You're going to want to stay home. Stay home, relax, eat soup and yogurt, and just take it easy for the next couple of days. After the first few days, it's just a matter of time while we wait for the implants to heal and for the body to heal around the implants. The roughest portion is really those first few days. After that, it's just a waiting game, and we wait for the body to do its thing. All the rest of the steps, all the rest of the procedures, are all very minor in comparison to that surgical day. Be prepared to take some antibiotics and some painkillers, and you're going to be just fine.
What is the care needed for an All-on-X?
Once you have something like this in your mouth, you've just invested the time and money into putting in five or six implants and getting a fixed prosthesis on top—nothing that you remove. How do you take care of this? Well, at home, you must have great equipment. You need a very good electric toothbrush, and you need a very good water pick at home to be able to keep everything clean because we don't want you filling it up with junk and gunk. You just invested all this time and money; we want this to last you a lifetime. The only way it can do that is with proper maintenance. You need very good equipment at home, but on top of that, you have to come in for regular visits. We need to see you every 3 months for a cleaning—not every 6 months, not every 6 years, but every 3 months. You just bought a Mercedes; you have to bring it in for an oil change. We need to see you. We need to make sure that things are still looking as wonderful as they did the day you took it home. The only way we can do that is when you come in for your cleanings. So every 3 months with us. Great equipment, great electric toothbrush, great water flosser at home, and you should be good to go.
All on 4 Dental Implants
Welcome to Always Beautiful Smile, your trusted dental service in Brooklyn, New York. We are proud to offer our patients the latest dental solutions, including the All-on-4 Dental Implants.
What are All-on-4 Dental Implants?
This is a revolutionary treatment that allows us to replace missing teeth using only four dental implants per arch. With this innovative procedure, you can enjoy a natural-looking, functional, and comfortable smile without the need for dentures or multiple implants.
Enhanced Confidence
Regain your confidence with a beautiful and natural-looking smile that feels and functions like real teeth.
Improved Comfort
Say goodbye to the discomfort of traditional dentures and enjoy the comfort of permanent teeth that are easy to care for and maintain.
Time-Saving Treatment
With All-on-4 Dental Implants, you can achieve a full set of teeth in just one appointment, eliminating the need for multiple visits to the dentist.
How We Can Help
At Always Beautiful Smile, we understand the concerns and worries that come with dental treatments. Our team of experts is dedicated to providing personalized care and ensuring that our patients feel comfortable and informed throughout the procedure.
Are you worried about the cost?
Are you worried about the cost? We offer affordable All-on-4 Dental Implants, and we work with insurance providers to ensure that you get the coverage you deserve. Don’t let missing teeth hold you back. Contact us today to schedule your consultation and take the first step towards a beautiful, confident smile with All-on-4 Dental Implants.
- Long-Lasting
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